The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of
blood glucose, lipid metabolism, body mass index (BMI),
C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as an
interleukin (IL)-17/IL-35 imbalance in the pathogenesis of concurrent
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and
preeclampsia (PE) (DPE). The
mRNA expression of
forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3), IL-35 [including Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) and P35 subunits] and
IL-17 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with DPE (
n=30), GDM (n=33), PE (n=33) and normal pregnancy (n=33) were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The serum levels of IL-35,
IL-17 and CRP were analyzed using ELISA. Serum total
cholesterol (TC),
triglyceride (TG),
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and fasting
blood glucose (FBG) were also detected. The levels of
low-density lipoprotein (
LDL) were calculated using the Friedewald formula.
Body weight and height were determined in order to calculate the BMI. It was observed that the levels of FBG were markedly elevated in patients with GDM, PE and DPE. In addition, significantly higher serum TG, TC,
LDL and very
LDL were detected in patients with GDM, PE and DPE compared with those in subjects with normal pregnancies. By contrast, the concentration of HDL was lower in the patient groups. In addition, higher BMI values were identified in patients with GDM, PE and DPE. A decreased expression of FoxP3, P35 and EBI3
mRNA, and an elevated expression of
IL-17 in PBMCs was detected in patients with GDM, PE and DPE. In addition, higher serum levels of
IL-17 and CRP, as well as lower levels of IL-35, were observed. Furthermore, in patients with DPE, positive correlations of diastolic blood pressure with
IL-17 levels, BMI and TG, as well as
IL-17 levels with BMI and
proteinuria were identified. In conclusion, the present study indicated that abnormal maternal
lipids,
hyperglycemia, high BMI, high CRP and IL-17/IL-35 imbalance may have a role in the pathophysiology of DPE. Therefore, pregnant women and clinicians should be made aware that maternal hyperlipidaemia,
hyperglycemia, high BMI, high CRP levels and IL-17/IL-35 imbalance may lead to DPE.